Royal Edict of Labor Exemption Issued to Ssangbongsa Temple, Neungseong

This is a royal edict (gyoji) issued by King Sejo in the eighth month of 1457, the third year of his reign, ordering that Ssangbongsa Temple in Neungseong, Jeolla-do, be exempted from corvée labour and granted land and slaves. It states that "the provincial governor and local magistrates, in accordance with the earlier edict, shall carefully protect Ssangbongsa Temple and reduce its corvée labour duties." Written in seven lines in the regular script (haeseo), the edict is identical in format to the Royal Edict Issued to Yongmunsa Temple, Yecheon (Treasure), differing only in the place name, the temple's name and the date of issue. As a document personally issued by the king in the early Joseon period, it is an important source for understanding the format of sapae gyoji, royal edicts granting privileges, at the time, and it also offers a glimpse into King Sejo's determination to protect Buddhist temples and his devotion to Buddhism.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jung-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물